Software that will be useful to an artist for work in a company

This is Skills Up School, and we are again explaining to artists how to start their way in game development. We have already written that an artist should be interested in technologies — this is one of the most valuable qualities of a professional. In addition to this, you will work with basic software that helps to organize tasks and time.

Usually, new employees are introduced to the software generally accepted in the company in the first days, but if you already know how to use it, this will add points to you already at the interview. After all, the rest of the candidates need to be trained, and you already know how!

Our expert Tatyana Nazhimova* has prepared a list of the most common programs and applications for communication within the company in the gaming industry — read about them in the article.

*Tatyana Nazhimova is a 2D artist with eight years of experience in developing mobile games. Now she collaborates with CM Games as a Senior Artist and, through her experience, tells how the life of game development companies works, and helps novice artists to feel more confident in the industry.

— Companies usually form their internal ecosystem, access to which is through a specially created email for you. This includes the mailbox itself, a file sharing system, a messenger, a video chat, an event calendar — all this is included in a regular Google account, and companies are happy to use these services. You will also get access to a task tracker, you will be given licensed specialized applications such as Adobe, Autodesk and others.

Some employers provide the opportunity to use an employee website, a virtual knowledge base — the list of programs and applications varies depending on the company, its scale, the number of departments and employees.

I will tell you about some of them.

Task Trackers: Jira, Source tree, Asana and others

A task tracker is the main tool for synchronizing work in production. In trackers, you will see all the tasks of the team, and your lead will help you set up the display of your specific tasks.

Probably, at first there will be only one task, but as you get used to it, the list will gradually expand. Inside each task, you will find a description, a way to complete it, reference screenshots, work result requirements, deadlines.

You will keep tasks in an up-to-date status — open, in progress or completed. You may be asked to post the process at the end of each working day in the form of screenshots with a description.

Chats: Slack, Discord, Skype, Telegram

Chats are the most accessible way to receive information. All calls with colleagues during the day, all formal and informal discussions take place here. This is where the main life of the team is.

You will find all the company's employees there, project chats, chats by production departments and so on. Most large companies use Slack as the most convenient platform.

By the way, Skills Up School students communicate in Discord — they have both study chats and just chats for communicating with each other, where you can ask for advice for novice artists from more experienced classmates and curators.

This is especially true for online courses when everyone lives in different cities. Choose courses in Drawing, 2D Graphics, 3D Graphics and join our friendly community!

Email

In emails, you will receive official information, documents. Don't forget to check it regularly!

Employee Website

This is a closed portal where you can find information about each employee, request documents, submit a leave application or notify about sick time. Your page contains personal information, including confidential information, which is accessible only to specific persons. Not all companies have a corporate website, but over time, I think, this practice will spread.

Virtual Knowledge Base

It contains the accumulated experience of employees throughout the entire work of the company, as well as external materials. They can be presented in different forms: speeches, presentations, training courses, books, videos, lectures, archived closed projects and so on. This archive is constantly replenished, and someday you will also contribute.

The material was released as part of the special project Map of Professions from Skills Up School.